Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-12-01

fFso1 Our Regular Cofrespsndentl
WASHINGTON. Nov. 10, 1887.
One thing highly credible to Mr..
Cleveland's administration 10 the eff
cient and economical management Of
the postal business Of the country-in
fact, there is a, fair prospect that this
branch of the public service may be
made self-sustaining for the first time
in its history; indeed there is . prom
ise that it may be made a source Of
government revenue. This state of
affairs il really ~ surprising ~ it is
gratifying, when it is remembered that
for a number Of years past the annual
deficits Of this department have rang
I'd from eight to fifteen million dollars.
For the year ending June 8Oth, 1886.
the deficiency was S8,0OO, 900. but
that of last year was only about
81 .4OO, 900; for the past fiscal year the
same reduction has been going on, so
that it is probable that on June 3Oth,
1887, the deficiency was not over one
million dollars. It is estimated that
before the close of the present year
the postal business will he q profit to
the government. This great federal
department, which comes nearer than
any other to the people, 10 an interest
ing topic at all times-particularIy 40
now, when there appears to be
strong probability that at no distant
day we shall have one cent letter
postage. Few realize the magnitude
OF the United States mail service. The
free transpOrtatiOns of the business
mail of $4,000 Office holders through
out the country costs the vast sum OF
two million dollars; the newspaper
mails, which constitute ono third of
the matter carried, bring but one
fOrtieth of the revenue of the service.
The United States have more post
masters, postal employees, and postal
routes than any other country in the
world, which is the very best indica-
tiOn Of our substantial progress and
prosperity, and the cultivation of the
social graces that is characteristic of
the Americans.
For the past year and a hall PEN
MES seem to have become popular,
ia-the- xsst-iss- e-east
they have been 80 from time imme-
mOrial-as the only United States
mint that makes small coins, that in
Philadelphia, has been unable to sup
ply the growing demand, though the
dies have been, and are yet, running
night and day, having, during the
period in question, filled orders for
one and five cent pieces amounting to
more than a million dollars, and yet
the mint is S2OO,OOO behind the
orders. II no more demands should
he made, it would take the mint six
weeks constant work to ill the orders
now on file.
a late decision of the United States
supreme court in what is known as
the drive-well cases, will be hailed with
great satisfaction by the three million
farmers Of the country whose financial
iutrrests swere Hffect11 thereby: rhg
inventor claimed a royalty of ten dol
lars on each OF these bored wells, but
the court refused to grant it--thus,
this important decision is worth Just
thirty millions to the farmers of the
United States. The state Oranges of
Iowa and Minnesota voted to raise
S25,OOO to fight the patent-an en-
pense they could well afford in view OF
the immense amount Mt stake.
speaker Carlisle has early arrived in
the capital, for the purpose of confer
ring with the President and the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury, in reference to
the tariff measure, which, it is under
stood, was outlined in the secluded
shades Of Oak View last summer. II
is reported that Mr.. Carlisle is to be
unanimously reelected speaker by his
party, and that the whole influence OF
the administ ration will be exerted in
favor of a reduction OF the tariff. The
President feels encouraged and
strengthened in this policy by the re-
suit of the late election in New York
State, where a reform OF the tariff
vas made distinct issue in the demo
cratic platform.
The angry controversy between Sec
retary Lamar and Commissioner
sparks over the Omaha railroad land
grant, has furnished the gossips and
newsmongers ofthis city a rare morsel
for the past week. After all, the only
question at issue 10 that of subOrdi-
nation-whether the interior depart
ment shall have one or two heads.
The action of Secretary Lamar seems
ODE geperally approved. Of course
the only outcome of the affair was
the resignation OF the commissioner
which has been rendered to the Presi-
dent and accepted by him. Many
think that Assistant Commissioner
StOckslager will be the successor OF his
late chief.
The Corcoran Art Gallery will soon